King of Owls

Hungry Hunter

Your POV:

With a tired huff, I finish up sharpening my third rock on the wall of the cave I've sought refuge in and set it aside next to the sticks, which I've also shaped into a deadly point. Only one of the rocks I've sharpened are long enough to form the shape of a knife, while the others had broken and chipped into dull, makeshift blades, but, hopefully, I can still find some use for them. Noting how late it's gotten, I peer out of the cave and find the bright sun descending from the bleak, cloudy sky, which marks the end of my first official day in the wilderness. I pick up a new rock and use it to mark a line on the wall. I'd like to have some understanding of how much time passes of me staying in this forest, so I plan to do this daily.

A fierce growl of hunger sounds from my stomach, which seemingly twists in a painful manner, but I ignore it. I've gone one day without food. I should be fine, but I need to try getting some first thing in the morning. With luck, I'll find some edible berries or plants, or perhaps I'll even manage catching an animal. I highly doubt I'll snare anything my first try, but, hopefully, after some practice, I'll at least be able to spear some fish out of the stream. I give a soft sigh while leaning against the wall.

I'm not feeling very cold, so I don't think I'll bother making a fire tonight or at least this very second; instead I take a moment to relax. My first day had been very tiring, what with all the walking and hauling things back to the cave, but I'm fine. I didn't expect this to be easy. I know I can do this. My eyelids droop, and, at times, would shut as the hooting of owls sound from right outside my dwelling place. Seems they've returned. I don't understand their fascination with me; it's very unsettling, but what am I supposed to do about it?

'Maybe if I throw a rock at them, they'll go away? No, bad idea. They might swarm and attack me. Oh, well. Not like they're doing anything other than watching.' Finally, the exhaustion gets to me, and I begin to nod off.

My head starts lulling to the side as my body slumps against the wall to rest.

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The next morning, I wake up with a groan and slowly sit up while rubbing my sore back. The dirt isn't exactly comfortable. Hopefully, I'll manage to find something with a soft hide to lie on, though, I won't get my hopes up. I doubt I'll be able to catch anything big enough to make a difference. A girl can dream, though.

I remove the white, knitted scarf from around my neck and tie it across my body before gabbing my makeshift knife and securing it between the folds of the scarf. I also grab one of the sharpened sticks before heading out in search of food. With silent steps, I trudge the forest floor with my gaze on the muddy ground in search of tracks. Eventually, I happen upon deer tracks, so I follow those while listening to the chirping birds in the trees. I would try for one of those, but it would be too hard to catch a bird. They're much too fast and are small targets.

I'd probably have better chances with a deer. I stop upon reaching a small clearing and standing in the middle of the tall grass is a lovely doe feasting upon the dark green blades. Suddenly, her ears perk and she looks in my direction, so I remain still, even holding my breath as to not startle it. I gulp slightly while staring into her big, black orbs as her nose twitches. It almost felt like she was gazing into my soul.

My lips part in surprise when the deer takes a cautious step towards me, then another and another. I tense slightly, but remain in place as she stops in front of me before stretching her neck a bit to sniff me. Not making any sudden movements, I slowly raise my hand to the doe's face. She doesn't even try to run as I gently pet the fur between her eyes. I breathe out a laugh at how amazing this is, but my lips then shape into a small frown. Sadly, I intend to eat the animal. I walk around the doe as she bends her neck down to eat the grass while reaching for the stone knife in my scarf. I gently pet her shoulders before looking to where I need to aim. I take a deep breath to mentally prepare myself for what I was about to do as I raise the blade.

"I'm sorry," I mutter before thrusting the knife forward, aiming for a vital part. However, before the sharp object could even make contact with the animal, a cloaked figure drops down from one of the trees and pushes me away from the deer hard enough to send me onto my back. My weapon falls from my hand, but before I could reach for it, the stranger stomps on the stone repeatedly until it breaks. By now, the deer was long gone, having been scared off by the newcomer. I stare up at the person and open my mouth to speak, but, before I could even get a word out, they climb up the nearest tree so fast, I hardly blinked by the time they had perched themselves on a sturdy branch.

I could only stare in amazement at the being as they stare back at me— Well, at least I think they are. Their face is covered by a wooden mask made from tree bark. It has a small, pointed nose, similar to an owl's beak, while the eyeholes are curved, horizontal slits that keep me from seeing the eyes of the stranger. Looking at their attire, I note that they overall resemble an owl with both their outfit and posture. The person tilts their head sharply in an unnatural manner that makes me flinch. I nervously crawl back with my heart beating out of my chest, moving slowly under their gaze until I'm hidden by the bushes. I then scramble to my feet and book it, not caring that I had left both of my weapons behind. I take refuge in my cave, but was too afraid to leave, even to get water. I mean, what if they're still out there?

'Who was that?' I wonder while bringing my knees to my chest and sigh. It was the same person from when I first came here, I'm sure of it, but why are they dressed like that?

'Have they been following me, or was that just a coincidence? Are they good, or are they bad?' My mind was plagued with questions about the stranger even as the night came. I was hungry, thirsty and severely paranoid, but I wasn't about to leave now. It's too dark outside anyway.

I release a shriek when a body suddenly drops down from the roof of the cave and crawl into the space deeper as they slowly stand from their crouched, landing position. Their posture remains slouched as they gaze into my temporary home with their hands cupped in front of them. I find myself nervous, not knowing what they were hiding, and press against the cave wall as they come nearer. My body trembles with each soft step they take closer before the person kneels to my seated height and holds out their hands to me. I look down as they open to show what's inside and note the black nails that are pointed like talons as well as the thin, yet calloused fingers that reveal to me a small dead mouse.

My stomach twists in disgust, feeling revolted by the sight of the rodent. I never liked mice or rats. I find them repulsive. Their head tilts in confusion at my disgusted reaction before they set the mouse down at my feet. I bring my legs closer to my chest to keep them away from the small creature as though it'd come back to life and race up my pant leg. The stranger then stands up and leaves without saying a word.

I keep my gaze on their back as they disappear into the foggy night, and when they're gone, I shove the mouse aside with my shoe with a cringe. No way am I eating that. It's too small anyway. It'd be only a bite of meat with a ton of bones. I groan softly and lie down before trying to sleep away the hunger pains.

I just want this day to end.